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CHAIRMAN, Jay Kramer * 772-321-7724 * [email protected]
VICE CHAIRMAN, Frank Sosta, Jr. * 772-713-6411 * [email protected]
SECRETARY, Linda Anselmini * 609-577-5139 * [email protected]
TREASURER, Steve Gagne * 772-480-6671 * [email protected]
STATE COMMITTEEWOMAN
Elly Manov
772-696-1665

STATE COMMITTEEMAN
Shawn Frost
772-264-4373
 
IRC REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN

Jay Kramer

I have asked Joe Saul, REC member and former secretary to act as guest columnist this week on the topic of the US Capitol Police opening an office in Florida.
Jay
   
Hello again, Indian River County Republican Executive Committee Members, followers, and friends! REC Chair Jay Kramer asked me to write a “Guest Column” of sorts to share with you, on the topic of the Capitol Police establishing one or more offices in the State of Florida, for the stated purpose of investigating the events and occurrences of January 6, 2021, in and around the U.S. Capitol that have been characterized in the media as an “armed insurrection.”
 
Any fair-minded individual will agree that there was a breakdown of law and order at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. The cause of that breakdown is beyond the scope of this discussion. What we are discussing is the federal law enforcement response to that breakdown. The federal government is now interested in opening one or more offices in Florida as a base for the Capitol Police to investigate the events of that date in Washington, D.C. The rationale is that many persons of interest, as well as suspects, in the Washington events are Florida residents. As we all learned in our school days, this nation is a Constitutional Republic, and not the democracy that most of the media as well as our President, Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader and their followers today claim it to be. This republicanism and the separation of federal and state governments integral to it is perhaps best exemplified by Constitution Art. I, sec. 8, clause 17, which after establishing Washington, D.C. as a federal district, allows the federal government to purchase land from states and to pass laws governing the federalized land. 
 
The Congress shall have Power To … exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;
Constitution, Art. I, sec. 8, clause 17 [emphasis added]
 
Some have argued incorrectly that this clause prohibits federal action in a state without that state’s permission. For example, there is no Constitutional prohibition against a federal policing agency renting space to support its policing function within a given state. Also, before a federal policing agency and a given state’s policing agencies will reciprocally enforce laws, as a matter of practice, interagency agreements must be in place.
 
The situation with which we are dealing now comes more sharply into focus. Again, the Capitol Police wishes to establish one or more offices in Florida to carry out an investigation. There is no Constitutional bar. If the Capitol Police is not looking for the aid of any Florida police agency, there is no need for an interagency agreement. The real problem, if any, may lie within the structure of the Capitol Police itself.
 
The federal government runs a variety of policing agencies, including the Capitol Police. Some of the others include the White House Police, the FBI, TSA, US Marshals, and the US Parks Police. Of course, I apologize to those I have left out. Title 2 of the United States Code, entitled “The Congress,” contains laws governing the conduct and ancillary business of Congress. Chapter 29 of Title 2 is entitled “Capitol Police.” All section references herein, unless otherwise noted, are to Title 2 of the United States Code. The Capitol Police is a uniformed service (§1941), and all Capitol Police officers must wear uniforms when on duty (§1944). It is charged with protecting the Capitol Buildings and Grounds, including the Library of Congress (§1961), and with protecting Members of Congress and their families (§1966). Interestingly, Congress did not find it necessary to extend this protection to Congressional employees and others serving the people on behalf of the government, but only to themselves, their families, and the buildings and properties.
 
The Capitol Police has been given no provision for a detective squad, plainclothes unit, or investigative unit, per the enabling act. In this, they are unlike the Secret Service or US Marshal’s Service, other federal agencies that provide bodyguard services. The question therefore becomes, if the federal government wishes to INVESTIGATE, why are they proposing to send a police unit that has no investigative portfolio, when there is already present in the area (Florida) the Federal Bureau of Investigation, backed by all its interagency connections with various other federal agencies? While I do not know the answer with the degree of certainty some would demand, let me repeat a sentence I wrote earlier: As we all learned in our school days, this nation is a Constitutional Republic, and not the democracy that most of the media as well as our President, Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader and their followers today claim it to be. Are we indeed staring into the abyss of the tyranny of a democracy?
 
Joe Saul



New Logo


"If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."
Thomas Jefferson



The victims, families, first responders and all who continue to help in the tragic Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida.

Heartfelt sympathy to REC member Betsy DiBenedetto for the loss of her husband, George on July 7th after a year long battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 6th at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32960. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to the First Presbyterian Church.




RPOF CHAIRMAN JOE GRUTERS' MESSAGE

The Cuban people are peacefully protesting in historic numbers against the brutal Communist dictatorship that has made life deadly miserable for three generations. The people yearn to be free, to be heard, and Republicans will not equivocate: We stand for the Cuban people against the tyrants. We stand for freedom and against oppression. We stand for a new day for the island of Cuba, and against the old, bloody day. Let another Communist socialist tyranny be thrown into the dustbin of history.

We know the pivotal importance of this moment and are doing everything we can to support the people of Cuba.
Governor DeSantis sent a letter to President Biden Wednesday requesting federal assistance to provide Internet access to the people of Cuba who are standing up against Communist oppression and demanding a voice after decades of suffering under the yoke of a cruel dictatorship.


Senator Marco Rubio, a long-time tenacious opponent of the oppressive Communist regime, said on the floor of the U.S. Senate: “In 62 years of Communist tyranny on the island of Cuba, we have never seen, there's never been, what now is up to 40 cities in which people took to the streets organically, unorganized, grassroots, to ask for the end of that tyranny.”

Do not be fooled. This is not about a failed response to Covid, as some in the Biden administration sadly want to claim. That may have been the spark, but the tinder of long suffering under a cruel despotism was waiting for any flare. This is about freedom for the 11 million people of Cuba, and the end of a long, dark era.
We Republicans stand with the Cuban people, and against the Cuban tyrants.

On Tuesday, Governor DeSantis was joined by Cuban-American leaders and elected officials in Miami for a roundtable supporting the Cuban people protesting the regime. The Governor called on the Biden Administration to take a strong stance against the oppressive, Communist regime. 

Governor DeSantis said, “We stand with the people of Cuba. For far too long, a tyrannical Communist regime has oppressed its people and used its power to silence any dissidents. Now, the Cuban people are making their voices heard to demand freedom and an end to this dictatorship.” So far, the Biden administration response has been predictably feeble. 

“While the Cuban people are showing tremendous courage, the Biden Administration is showing cowardice. The Biden Administration has been weak in its statements, blaming COVID-19, and not mentioning socialism or communism. While the president and his spokespeople issue empty rhetoric, the federal government is inexplicably lifting sanctions in Venezuela. Right now, the Cuban regime is taking the measure of Washington.”

 

 Florida Update



Team DeSantis "Dont Fauci My Florida" merchandise receives national attention. 

Governor DeSantis has ensured Florida is an oasis of freedom, and we’ll be darned if we let federal bureaucrats and absurd government overreach mess with that! Team DeSantis is a great opportunity to have some lighthearted fun and give his supporters a chance to feel even more connected with his message of keeping Florida free. 

The store includes Don't Fauci My Florida merchandise that highlights Fauci's flawed and devastating policies. Universal lockdowns, the closing of schools, including places of worship in some states, masking mandates for children as young as three, are not only unnecessary, but also have a negative impact on mental health. In Florida, we are fortunate to have the bold leadership of Governor DeSantis to support Floridians in the best way possible and you can bet he isn’t going to allow anyone to Fauci our Florida.


Corporate media continues to get Covid wrong in Florida.

They have suggested COVID-19 cases are spiking in Florida, which is absurd, especially when you consider how far we have come from a year ago. Because of Governor DeSantis' focus to put seniors first and protect the most vulnerable, deaths and cases in long term care facilities have decreased precipitously: 
Since vaccinations were initially available late last year in Florida:
  • Deaths overall have reduced by 95%.
  • Cases overall have reduced by 83%.
  • Deaths in long-term care facilities have reduced by 97%.
  • Cases in long-term care facilities have reduced by 91%.
  • Cases in individuals over 65 have decreased by 90%.
  • Deaths in individuals over 65 have decreased by 95%.
The total number of daily reported deaths with COVID-19 continues to hover under 35, as it has now for the past two weeks. In that timeframe, it has been the lowest 7-day average of deaths recorded since early April 2020 when the pandemic began.
 

Great leadership is about more than the next election, it's about building and maintaining foundations for a better future for coming generations. To that end, Governor DeSantis has made Florida a national leader in top quality civics education in our public schools. 

With that in mind, Governor DeSantis announced $106 million to establish the Civic Literacy Excellence Initiative. The money will be used to award qualified teachers with the Florida Civics Seal of Excellence, which includes a $3,000 bonus for educators who complete training to earn the endorsement. The funding will also be used to expedite the implementation of Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards civics curriculum in public schools.

“We have a responsibility to ensure our students are prepared to be great citizens,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “That is why we created a new civics curriculum in Florida and are making this important investment of more than $106 million. By July 4, 2026, our country’s 250th anniversary, we will make sure every K-12 student in Florida is educated with our new civics curriculum.” 

The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative has been a huge success. More than 161 schools from 48 districts with more than 5,500 students expected to participate in the coming school year.

 
In June, Governor DeSantis signed legislation that is setting the pace for civics education in America. You can read more about that here:
  

The state of Florida has awarded grants totaling more than $30 million to improve infrastructure, community redevelopment and job creation in small and rural Florida communities.

Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida Inc. awarded $29 million through the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, $1.2 million through the Community Planning Technical Assistance grant program, $280,000 through the Competitive Florida Partnership grant program and $198,500 through the Rural Expansion Toolkit initiative.

“Florida’s rural communities are vital to the wellbeing and prosperity of our state, and my administration is committed to helping them thrive,” Governor DeSantis said in announcing the grants.

  
Governor DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Education awarded $44 million in federal Unified School Improvement Grant (UniSIG) funds to support 149 struggling schools in 29 districts.

“It can be hard for struggling schools to recruit and retain top talent, and today I’m proud to announce $44 million to address this problem,” Governor DeSantis said. “I have consistently said that the number one way to create great opportunities for our students is by ensuring they have great teachers. In Florida, we will continue to take a strategic, data-driven approach to make our schools the best in the country.”



HAPPENINGS
CLUB INFORMATION
No meetings in July or August:

The Republican Veterans Club
The Republican Club of Indian River




WAKE UP AMERICA

Join Robin Pelensky
and friends waving the flag on Friday nights 5:30-6:30 PM on the Barber Bridge. It is a Wake Up America event each Friday. It's so encouraging and important to remind people to pay attention and get engaged and it's really fun!
Join Barbara DeFrino
to flag wave at 10:00 AM Saturday mornings on the Barber Bridge.




CONTRIBUTE TO RE-ELECT GOVERNOR DESANTIS
www.RonDeSantis.com






Next REC Meeting: September 8, 2021

Be sure to visit our website:







Linda Anselmini
Secretary
Indian River County Republican Executive Committee
Indian River County Republican Executive Committee | www.ircgop.com